Carolina Hurricanes Summary

The Carolina Hurricanes are on the cusp of welcoming back defenseman K'Andre Miller, who is nearing a return from a lower-body injury that has sidelined him for the past six games. Miller participated in practice and was seen taking reps alongside his usual partner, Jalen Chatfield.

He expressed optimism about being ready for the upcoming game against the Minnesota Wild, stating, "Gonna talk with the medical staff and we'll kind of make our decision from there." Coach Rod Brind'Amour noted that Miller has been impressive during his early season play, contributing two goals and four points in six games, and he highlighted the impact of Miller's absence on the team's performance.

According to Brind'Amour, Miller was logging significant minutes and playing in all situations before his injury, making his return crucial as the team navigates through a spate of injuries. The Hurricanes have been relying on rookies on the blueline during his absence, but they have managed to maintain competitive play.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are coming off a strong performance, having secured a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers, with goalie Pyotr Kochetkov making his season debut and achieving a 25-save shutout.

Coach Brind'Amour noted the importance of this win, saying, "We needed that win for our group," as they had struggled with three losses in their previous four games. On the other hand, the Minnesota Wild are looking to build on their recent success, having won their last two games, including a 3-2 overtime victory against the Nashville Predators.

Wild coach John Hynes acknowledged the need for improvement despite the wins, emphasizing the challenge of playing against a strong Hurricanes team. The upcoming matchup will also mark a milestone for Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal, who is set to play in his 910th game with the franchise.

This will tie him with his brother Eric Staal for the most games played in Carolina uniform, with only Ron Francis and Glen Wesley surpassing that mark historically. The Hurricanes' goaltender situation continues to evolve, as Frederik Andersen is expected to start against the Wild after being rested during the New York trip.

This week, the Hurricanes are focused on solidifying their defensive game, having allowed two or fewer goals in their last three outings, while looking forward to the potential return of a key player in Miller against a competitive Wild team.